Self Realization

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Self Realization

 

By Sri Ramana Maharshi

 

We usually identify ourselves in terms of name and form: " I am John,

forty years old, 180 pounds. I have this job and live with that

family, etc. " This is all quite natural.

 

But those fortunate few who are destined to look deeper into their

own nature will discover a Self much different from what outward

circumstances dictate. The eternal, free and perfect Self is always

present within us, while the veils of body-identification prevent us

from experiencing who, in fact, we really are. The Maharshi stresses

this point again and again.

 

In the following extract from GEMS FROM BHAGAVAN, we are reminded of

this truth and inspired to realise the True Self.

 

THE STATE WE CALL realisation is simply being oneself, not knowing

anything or becoming anything. If one has realised, he is that which

alone is, and which alone has always been. He cannot describe that

state. He can only be That. Of course we loosely talk of Self-

Realisation for want of a better term.

 

That which is, is peace. All that we need do is to keep quiet. Peace

is our real nature. We spoil it. What is required is that we cease to

spoil it. If we remove all the rubbish from the mind, the peace will

become manifest. That which is obstructing the peace must be removed.

Peace is the only reality.

 

Our real nature is mukti. But we are imagining that we are bound and

are making various strenuous attempts to become free, while we are

all the time free. This will be understood only when we reach that

stage. We will be surprised that we frantically were trying to attain

something which we have always been and are. It is another name for

us.

 

Our wanting mukti is a very funny thing. It is like a man who is in

the shade voluntarily leaving the shade, going into the sun, feeling

the severity of the heat there, making great efforts to get back into

the shade and then rejoicing 'How sweet is the shade. I have after

all reached the shade!' We are doing exactly the same. We are not

different from the reality. We imagine we are different, i.e., we

create the bheda bhava (the feeling of difference) and then undergo

great sadhanas to get rid of the bheda bhava and realise the oneness.

Why imagine or create the bheda bhava and then destroy it?

 

It is false to speak of realisation. What is there to realise? The

real is as it is, ever. How to realise it? All that is required is

this. We have realised the unreal, i.e., regarded as real what is

unreal. We have to give up this attitude. That is all that is

required for us to attain jnana. We are not creating anything new or

achieving something which we did not have before.

 

Effortless and choiceless awareness is our real state. If we can

attain it or be in it, it is all right. But one cannot reach it

without effort, the effort of deliberate meditation. All the age long

vasanas (impressions) carry the mind outwards and turn it to external

objects. All such thoughts have to be given up and the mind turned

inward. For that, effort is necessary, for most people. Of course

everybody, every book says 'Be quiet or still'. But it is not easy.

That is why all this effort is necessary.

 

There is a state beyond our efforts or effortlessness. Until that is

realised effort is necessary. After tasting such bliss even once, one

will repeatedly try to regain it. Having once experienced the bliss

of peace, no one would like to be out of it or engage himself

otherwise.

 

You may go on reading any number of books on Vedanta. They can only

tell you 'Realise the Self'. The Self cannot be found in books. You

have to find it for yourself in yourself.

 

If we regard ourselves as the doers of action we shall also be the

enjoyers of the fruits of such action. If by enquiring who does these

actions one realises one's Self, the sense that one is the doer

vanishes and with it go all the three kinds of Karma (viz. sanchita,

agamya and prarabdha). This is the state of Eternal Mukti or

Liberation.

 

The power of the sage's Self-Realisation is more powerful than all

occult powers. To the sage there are no others. But what is the

highest benefit that can be conferred on 'others' as we call them? It

is happiness. Happiness is born of peace. Peace can reign only when

there is no disturbance by thought. When the mind has been

annihilated there will be perfect peace. As there is no mind the sage

cannot be aware of others. But the mere fact of his Self-Realisation

is enough to make all others peaceful and happy.

 

 

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